10 Texas Breweries That Are Absolutely Worth the Trip

Texans like to drink, there’s no denying that. The Lone Star State is home to many unique distilleries, wineries and breweries. If you’re visiting the Lone Star State and love to drink beer, here are a few Texas breweries that you should visit.

10. Eola Schoolhouse Restaurant and Brewery

This unique restaurant and brewery is located in a tiny town called Eola, roughly 30 minutes outside of San Angelo. You wouldn’t likely drive through this area unless it was deliberate, but a trip to the local brewery built into an old school is worth the trip. The beer offerings vary, but they usually have the Farm Ale on tap. It’s a nice crisp ale that is not only refreshing but full of flavor.

9. Big Bend Brewing Co.

Another brewery located in the-almost-middle-of-nowhere Texas, Big Bend Brewing Co., located in Alpine, Texas. This Texas brewery is best known for it’s Big Bend Hefeweizen, a fruity and light beer that is perfect for those hot Texas days and even the cool, desert nights.

8. Pedernales Brewing Company

Deep in the heart of Texas’ wine country is a little old brewery that will blow you away. When Pedernales Brewing Company put out their Lobo Negro dark lager, they put themselves on the map for craft beer drinkers. Taking home several awards in 2014 and 2015, this brewery keeps putting out hit after hit.

7. Freetail Brewing Co.

This Texas brewery is located in San Antonio, a town known for its rich culture. Freetail Brewing Co. offers a nice selection of brews, and they serve food too. It’s become the hot spot to catch sports games, and they hold several other types of events throughout the year. Try the Rye Wit, a Belgian-style Witbier that offers citrus candy notes and is perfect for a day in the Texas sun.

6. Shiner

Located in Shiner, Texas, this once tiny brewery has become one of the most recognized in the country. Shiner offers a wide variety of beers for all palettes. With the colder weather coming up, we recommend their winter seasonal, Shiner Cheer. The Cheer basically tastes like Christmas in a bottle with notes of peaches and pecans, and a hint of nutmeg.

5. 8th Wonder Brewery

This Houston brewery boasts decor and a logo that resembles the Houston Astros. The brewery is located a few blogs from Minute Maid Park, where the Astros play, and the owner is a big fan of the team. The taproom is a popular hangout spot for locals. If you want to try something outside the box, try the French Toast Breakfast Beer while they’ve got it. You’ll think you’re eating a slice of French toast without all the sugar. If you’re more of a regular beer drinker, try the Dome Faux’m. It’s a nice crisp ale that’s mellowed out with a hint of cream.

4. Uncle Billy’s Brewery and Smokehouse

Frequented by locals and the occasional celebrity, Uncle Billy’s Brewery and Smokehouse is one of the most popular brewpubs in Austin and has taken home a few awards from the Great American Beer Festival. Try the smokey Schutzenfest. It’s a Berliner Weisse brewed with house smoked malt, which gives it a light sour flavor and oak smoke on the back end. If you ask the locals, though, they’ll tell you to try the Green Room IPA.

3. Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Saint Arnold Brewing Company is widely known for their Fancy Lawnmower; however, the Oktoberfest seasonal they just put out is noteworthy too. With slight hints of pumpkin and cinnamon, the flavor is perfect for drinkers who like fall seasonals and drinkers who don’t. Saint Arnold prides itself on being Texas’ oldest craft brewery.

2. Jester King Brewery

Another Austin favorite, Jester King Brewery specializes in farmhouse ales and fermented beers. They use water from their well, local grains and native wild yeast to make sour beers full of character. We suggest trying La Vie en Rose, a farmhouse ale fermented with raspberries. The raspberries give the ale a nice tart kick without making it too sour.

1. Rahr & Sons

This Fort Worth brewery is famous around Texas, and you really can’t go wrong with any of their beers. Rahr & Sons opened in 2004, but the Rahr family had been brewing beer since the 1800s. We suggest you try Texas Red amber lager. It’s smooth, caramel flavor compliments any meal nicely.